The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 9)

I read with interest the above article concerning the arbitrary nature of amounts of fines etc. Here in the UK, the incumbent Blair government and all relevant agencies have been waging a war against motorists for years. Your reference to "speed cameras," as we call them, needs some clarification.

p>Originally introduced with the admirable intent of combating road accidents and deaths, it quickly became clear to the great British public that the real reason for the mass introduction was to raise revenue. Whilst the police forces and government emphatically denied this, public skepticism was fueled by the strange locations in which some of these cameras were sited: behind traffic signs, under bridges and, because of their dull gray color, frequently invisible to the driver until the last minute, resulting in tire-screeching braking, likely to cause more accidents than prevent them. Due to public clamor these cameras are now required to be painted fluorescent yellow or orange and are being removed from all areas not listed as accident blackspots. We may not have a Bill of Rights or a written constitution, but any British Government that hurts the British motorist's wallet is likely to be hurt by return in the ballot box. br> -- Daniel Butterworth br> London, UK /p> p> Mr. Peters in his article "Progressive Ticketing" commits a schoolboy error in asserting that the "Brits" have no Bill of Rights. In fact, us Englishmen & Welshmen have had one since it received Royal Assent from William & Mary on 16 December 1689, shortly after the Glorious Revolution. Possibly the Scotchmen had to wait a little longer. br> -- Tom Holbrook /p> p> Here in Texas we already have a limited form of progressive fines. If you are caught speeding in a construction zone the fines are double. Not exactly based on income, but it's the foot in the door. br> -- John McGinnis br> Arlington, Texas /p>

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